Dilated Cardiomyopathy Due to Alimentary Iron Deficiency.

Dewein, Leonie; Kresz, Andrea; Essers, Jochen; Bride, Peter; Kaestner, Michael; Apitz, Christian

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a severe condition, characterised by left ventricular dilation and systolic dysfunction, necessitating heart transplantation when all other treatment options fail. This case report describes a 2-year-old girl initially presenting with oedema, listlessness, and severe iron deficiency anaemia. She was diagnosed with DCM. Extensive diagnostic workup ruled out other causes, leading to the suspicion of DCM due to alimentary iron deficiency. This was confirmed by the parents' report that the girl was fed almost exclusively with low-fat cow's milk. Prompt treatment, including packed red cell transfusion, iron supplementation, and heart failure medications (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and aldosterone antagonists), resulted in significant improvement in cardiac function within days. This report demonstrates the potential risks of alimentary iron deficiency, the most common cause of microcytic hypochromic anaemia in young children, which might even result in the development of life-threatening cardiac dysfunction in extreme cases.

IRON deficiency anemia diagnosis; ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY; DIURETICS; CHEST X rays; BLOOD transfusion; ACE inhibitors; ADRENERGIC beta blockers; DIETARY supplements; SEVERITY of illness index; CARDIOVASCULAR agents; TREATMENT effectiveness; DILATED cardiomyopathy; ALDOSTERONE antagonists; IRON deficiency anemia; IRON compounds; SYMPTOMS

Children, 2024, Vol 11, Issue 2, p196

2227-9067

Academic Journal

10.3390/children11020196